Overview
Google Customer Reviews allows Google to send a post-purchase survey to your customers. When customers complete that survey, their rating contributes toward your Seller Rating — the score Google may display on your ads (e.g., ★4.6 based on customer feedback).
This is not the same as Google Business Profile reviews or product reviews on your website. Seller Ratings are controlled by Google and require qualifying survey volume and score.
Why This Matters
Enabling Google Customer Reviews can help:
Increase trust and click-through rates on Google Ads
Build the Seller Rating needed to show stars on Shopping ads
Provide verified feedback directly from real customers
If you run Google Ads, Seller Ratings can lower cost-per-click and improve conversions, especially on Shopping campaigns.
Before You Start: What to Expect
To avoid confusion later, here are the facts upfront:
This is the only free path to Google Seller Ratings
You won’t see stars immediately — Google requires enough survey responses before displaying a Seller Rating
GCR surveys are sent by Google, not by RaveCapture
Google Business Profile (GBP) reviews do NOT count toward Seller Ratings
You cannot “send a link” to customers to leave a Store Rating — Google controls who receives the survey
Typical timeline to qualify: 4–12 weeks, depending on order volume.
How It Works (High-Level)
You enable Google Customer Reviews inside Google Merchant Center
Google adds a survey opt-in module to your post-checkout page
Customers who opt in receive an email from Google after their order arrives
Their rating contributes to your Seller Rating
If you meet Google’s volume + score thresholds, stars may begin to appear on your ads
Step-by-Step: Enable Google Customer Reviews
Follow the steps below to activate GCR for your store:
1. Sign in to Google Merchant Center
Go to: https://merchants.google.com
Use the same account linked to your Google Ads if possible.
2. Navigate to “Growth” → “Manage Programs”
This section displays optional programs Google offers.
3. Find “Customer Reviews” and Click “Get Started”
Google will walk you through enabling the program.
4. Accept the Program Agreement
You must accept Google’s terms before accessing the setup instructions.
5. Add the Survey Opt-In to Your Store
Google provides code or platform-specific instructions depending on your platform.
For common e-commerce platforms:
Shopify – use a script or app integration if available
BigCommerce / WooCommerce – paste the opt-in code into your post-purchase page or use Google Tag Manager
This step is critical — if you skip it, no surveys will be sent.
6. (Optional) Add the Badge to Your Website
You may display the Google Customer Reviews badge to show participation and rating (once you have one). This is purely optional.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these issues that prevent Seller Ratings from ever appearing:
Mistake | Why It’s a Problem |
Enabling the program but not installing the opt-in code | Surveys never send → no ratings |
Expecting stars within weeks on low sales volume | Google requires minimum survey count |
Confusing Google Business Profile reviews with Seller Ratings | They are separate — GBP doesn’t impact Shopping stars |
Manually soliciting “Store Ratings” | Not possible — Google controls survey recipients |
When You Won’t Qualify for Seller Ratings
Even if you enable GCR, Seller Ratings may not appear if:
You don’t reach Google’s minimum volume of completed surveys
Your average rating is too low
You primarily sell through marketplaces instead of your website
Keep in mind: Google decides if/when the stars display — not the merchant.
Troubleshooting
If stars don’t appear after 60–120 days:
Check that the opt-in rate is high (customers must agree to the survey)
Confirm your website is still sending opt-ins correctly
Ensure orders are being recognized as completed deliveries
Check Seller Ratings status here (replace with your domain):
https://www.google.com/shopping/ratings/account/lookup?q=yourdomain.com
If the page shows “No rating available”, it means you have not yet met Google’s qualification criteria.
❓ FAQs
Do reviews from RaveCapture count toward Seller Ratings?
No. Only Google’s own survey responses or approved 3rd-party partners feed Seller Ratings.
Can I send my customers a link to leave a Store Rating?
No. Google does not allow a direct link for Store Ratings. Surveys are sent only by Google.
Do Google Business Profile (GBP) reviews count?
No. GBP reviews help with Local SEO and Maps visibility, not Shopping ads.
📚 Additional Resources from Google
If you’d like to learn more directly from Google’s documentation, the links below provide deeper detail on how Google Customer Reviews and Store Ratings work:
Google Customer Reviews – Program Overview
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/14628991
(What the program is, how surveys work, and how ratings are used)
Google Customer Reviews Opt-In & Survey Details
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/14629305
(How the survey opt-in is displayed to customers and how responses are collected)
Store Ratings on Google
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/190657
(How Seller Ratings appear on Google Shopping and Search ads, and eligibility requirements)
Google Customer Reviews Program Policies & Eligibility
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/14629803
(Requirements, restrictions, and regional availability)
If you have completed the steps in this guide and installed the opt-in correctly, you’re already on the right path. Remember that Seller Ratings take time to build, and Google controls when (and if) the stars appear. Focus on maintaining a great customer experience — once surveys begin flowing, your score will reflect it.